JACK: ‘Aged cheddar.’ So apparently there’s crates of cheddar sitting around somewhere, just aging. What if society ends and no new cheddar is crated away to age? How would we remnants of humanity decide when to eat what limited supply remains?

LOIS: Actually, philosophers call that the Oenophile’s Quandary! Presented with something that, over time, increases in quality (like wine) or in value (like money in a savings account), when’s the right time to use it? If you’re saving for a rainy day, how hard does it have to rain before that’s it? And as the item gains worth, wouldn’t it have to rain harder and harder before it makes sense to pop that cork?

LOIS: And isn’t it good to exercise a healthy discipline of delayed gratification? If in doubt, save it? After all, you never know when you’ll need that cheddar! Like you said – the world ends, and now you’re king! Won’t you be glad you showed restraint?

[[LATER:]]
JACK: I talked to some philosophers, and none of them had heard of the ‘Oenophile’s Quandary’!
LOIS: Oh, did I say philosophers? I meant my grandparents

{{alt-text: He ended up looking QUITE the fool at that philosophers’ cocktail party.}}

#654; In which Cheese vintages transcribed by in

[[LATER:]]
JACK: I talked to some philosophers, and none of them had heard of the ‘Oenophile’s Quandary’!
LOIS: Oh, did I say philosophers? I meant my grandparents

{{alt-text: He ended up looking QUITE the fool at that philosophers’ cocktail party.}}

#654; In which Cheese vintages transcribed by in

JACK: 'Aged cheddar.' So apparently there's crates of cheddar sitting around somewhere, just aging. What if society ends and no new cheddar is crated away to age? How would we remnants of humanity decide when to eat what limited supply remains?

LOIS: Actually, philosophers call that the Oenophile's Quandary! Presented with something that, over time, increases in quality (like wine) or in value (like money in a savings account), when's the right time to use it? If you're saving for a rainy day, how hard does it have to rain before that's it? And as the item gains worth, wouldn't it have to rain harder and harder before it makes sense to pop that cork?

LOIS: And isn't it good to exercise a healthy discipline of delayed gratification? If in doubt, save it? After all, you never know when you'll need that cheddar! Like you said - the world ends, and now you're king! Won't you be glad you showed restraint?

[[LATER:]]
JACK: I talked to some philosophers, and none of them had heard of the 'Oenophile's Quandary'!
LOIS: Oh, did I say philosophers? I meant my grandparents

{{alt-text: He ended up looking QUITE the fool at that philosophers' cocktail party.}}

He ended up looking QUITE the fool at that philosophers' cocktail party.

#654; In which Cheese vintages

— September 3rd, 2010

[ Tags: dining, extended relations, frugality, thought processes ] Permalink: https://wondermark.com/c/654/

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Applications open for Genius Northwest – an IRL gaming competition

May 8, 2026 by David Malki !

Last year, I participated in Genius Northwest, a gaming competition inspired by the Korean gameshow The Genius and its ilk.

It’s a reality show without the cameras — a 3-day, all-inclusive weekend retreat structured around a series of challenges and puzzles, in which personalities and dealmaking matter as much as playing games.

It’s truly a remarkable thing. I came in dead last in the competition, but I still had a great time participating.

The event is held annually in the Pacific Northwest (hence the name) and applications are now open to participate in the 2026 competition!

Learn more — and apply — at GeniusNW.com.

Comic Transcripts

#654; In which Cheese vintages

— September 3rd, 2010

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